LSAT 118 | Section 4 | Logical Reasoning: Q1

LR Question 1 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: Mayor McKinney’s policies have often been criticized …

QUESTION TYPE: Identify the Conclusion

CONCLUSION: The criticism that McKinney’s policies only benefit the wealthy is unfair.

REASONING: Some of his policies benefitted less wealthy residents.

ANALYSIS: What is the author trying to prove here? That the criticism is unfair, by showing an example where the criticism doesn’t apply.

The “but” is a classic conclusion indicator because it signals the author rejecting a view and substituting their own position.

___________

1. The argument doesn’t claim uncertainty. It takes a clear position that the criticism is unfair.
2. Wrong. This is the context and the position that the argument is trying to disprove.
3. That’s a part of the reasoning for why the criticism is unfair. It shows that his policies have helped average people.
4. CORRECT. This is what the author is trying to prove.
5. Too strong and also wrong. The passage says development is helping to end the shortage and stabilize rents, not that this has already happened. And, this is a part of the reasoning, not the conclusion.